SBA: Small Businesses Feel Chill of National Hockey League Lockout

Credit unions and other lenders who support small businesses in the cities that host National Hockey League teams are likely seeing the impact of the nearly four-month-old lockout.

The SBA has been paying attention to the stalled season and said it is ready to assist small businesses nationwide.

In the 23 cities that host NHL teams, SBA representatives will be reaching out over the coming weeks to business owners to provide counseling sessions and help businesses work through this difficult time, the agency said.

“Small businesses are the backbone of our cities and towns and they should not have to sit in the penalty box,” said SBA Administrator Karen Mills. “When massive work stoppages affect local businesses, the federal government must play a role in helping to ensure stability. Using our vast counseling network, SBA is prepared to coach small businesses until the crowds return.”

Through resource partners like SCORE, Small Business Development Centers, Women’s Business Centers, and Veterans’ Business Outreach Centers, the SBA said it has a network of over 14,000 counselors who are ready to lend a hand to small business owners in the affected areas.

The National Hockey Players’ Association is scheduled to meet this week to resume talks about a new collective bargaining agreement, according to the Wall Street Journal. The NHL lockout entered its 79th day on Tuesday.